Ukrainian theater and film actor Oleksandr Rudynskyi has become the face of the new autumn campaign by the renowned headwear brand Ruslan Baginskiy. The project was shot in the brand's Kyiv office in an extremely minimalist setting, completely abandoning complex sets and scripted scenarios to focus entirely on portraiture and the actor's internal transformation.
The Art of Transformation
The advertising campaign's concept is built on Oleksandr Rudynskyi's unique ability to radically change characters and personas for his roles. However, this time the tool for transformation was not professional makeup and costumes, but designer hats. In front of the camera, the actor tried on the brand's signature pieces: classic cashmere beanies, strict wool fedoras, plaid caps, and modern baseball caps, organically complemented by oversized scarves and gloves. According to designer Ruslan Baginskiy, headwear has the amazing property of completely changing the mood of an entire outfit and how people perceive a person.
From a Kyiv Studio to Global Recognition
The history of Ruslan Baginskiy began in 2011 when the designer created his first fedora decorated with feathers, and by 2015, with financial support from his family, he founded a fully independent brand. Today, the brand continues to produce all its items in Ukraine, despite wartime challenges and temporary relocations of production. Over the years, the brand has evolved from a local Kyiv workshop into a global phenomenon: signature Baker Boy caps and exclusive headwear are worn by top-tier global celebrities, including Beyoncé, Madonna, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift.
International Achievements and Parisian Triumph
The brand's rapid growth has been accompanied by loud international victories and institutional-level recognition. In 2023, Ruslan Baginskiy won the prestigious French ANDAM Fashion Award in the accessories category, receiving a year of valuable mentorship from top management of the Hermès fashion house. Later, three unique pieces by the brand entered the collections of the National Archive of Contemporary Fashion at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. Another crucial milestone was decorating the windows of the legendary Galeries Lafayette department store in the summer of 2025, allowing Ukrainian craftsmanship to be showcased on a massive European scale.
Contradictory Data
In open sources and official brand releases, there are minor discrepancies regarding exact dates and the chronology of certain production expansion stages, as well as logistical details of the team's relocation between Kyiv and Lviv following the start of the full-scale invasion. While some materials emphasize an early return to the capital, other expert chronicles point to a year-and-a-half period of operation for the Lviv branch as a key hub during a specific stage of the company's sustainable growth.
